Business voting a win for the city

Release Date: 12/08/2014

Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, says news that businesses will be automatically enrolled to vote in the 2016 City of Sydney council elections is a win for business advocacy.

“This has been an issue that has angered the business community for decades and it is good news for business owners across the city,” Mrs Forsythe said.

“It is the business owners who contribute the vast majority of council rates, yet after each election they had to re-apply to be put on the roll in order to have a say on how that money was spent.

“It’s why business turnout on elections has been so low over the years – making them go through the red tape burden of applying each time meant it was put in the ‘too hard basket’ by thousands of business owners.

“It’s important to acknowledge that the Shooters and Fishers Party took up this issue earlier this year.

“There’s no doubt the next City of Sydney council elections will take on a different look with a much more engaged business voice playing an active role in the result.